Start School With One of These 10 Best Backpacks for College

A good backpack is an essential item for any college student. Learn more about the best college backpacks in our guide.
By
portrait of Staff Writers
Staff Writers
Read Full Bio

Writer

The staff writers for BestColleges collaborate to deliver unique, student-driven content on topics such as career development, college life, and college planning....
Updated on December 15, 2022
Edited by
portrait of Hannah Muniz
Hannah Muniz
Read Full Bio

Editor & Writer

Hannah Muniz is a senior editor with BestColleges, specializing in college planning, test prep, student life, and sponsored content. She previously worked as a freelance writer, composing articles on the SAT/ACT, higher education, language learning, ...
Learn more about our editorial process

www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

Take our quiz and we'll do the homework for you! Compare your school matches and apply to your top choice today.

Advertising Disclosure: Our team independently selected these products. If you purchase a product through one of our links, we may collect compensation. Pricing and availability are accurate at the time of publication.


When you picture a college campus, you're likely to imagine students walking across the quad carrying backpacks. The backpack is emblematic of college for good reason — it is an essential item for any student.

Backpacks are both practical and stylish, providing an easy means to carry your books and look good while doing it. In this guide, we list the 10 best college backpacks, analyzing them for both function and flash.

Price Legend

Chevron Down

$ = Under $40 | $$ = $41-$60 | $$$ = $61-$80 | $$$$ = Over $80

1. Matein Travel Laptop Backpack


Matein's travel laptop backpack features plenty of storage space, with a dedicated compartment that can hold a 15.6-inch laptop. It also boasts water-resistant, durable fabric; metal zippers; and a built-in USB charger. The back features a unique design that maximizes comfort and airflow.

2. Himawari Large Travel Backpack With Laptop Compartment


This college backpack by Himawari includes a dedicated slot in the main compartment that can fit a 15-inch laptop. Its simple but elegant design is complemented by a main compartment for larger essentials and a small zippered compartment for knick-knacks, like pens and your phone.

3. Ronyes Vintage Laptop Backpack


Ronyes' vintage laptop backpack features a padded laptop sleeve in its main compartment. It also boasts a smaller zippered compartment that can fit an iPad and other essentials. Choose from among fun colors like light green, pink, and jujube red.

4. JanSport Cool Student Backpack


JanSport is a classic, trusted brand for college backpacks, and this student bag features a no-frills design with plenty of space for a laptop. The design also boasts the signature JanSport leather bottom, polyester lining, and S-curve shoulder straps. You can select a basic color or floral pattern.

5. SwissGear 1900 Scansmart TSA Laptop Backpack


World travelers will love this SwissGear backpack, which allows you to move through TSA security lines without removing your laptop. The Scansmart laptop backpack also features an accordion file holder and an RFID-protected organizer component.

6. VASCHY Outdoor Hiking Waterproof Rucksack


Made for the outdoors, this VASCHY rucksack features high-quality, water-resistant polyester, as well as zippers and a drawstring closure to prevent moisture from entering. The side pocket can fit an umbrella or small water bottle, and the main compartment is large enough for a laptop.

7. Matein Water-Resistant Laptop Backpack With Insulated Lunch Box


This Matein backpack comes with a built-in insulated lunch box for students on the go. This feature can keep food cold or warm for 3-5 hours. The popular backpack also boasts a separate padded pocket large enough for a 17-inch laptop.

Have More Questions Before Heading Back to School?

Dive into our collection of back-to-school resources to find tips, checklists, and insights from real students.

Read More right arrow

8. Kinmac Bohemian Water-Resistant Laptop Backpack


This inexpensive Kinmac bohemian laptop backpack features a unique style, with plenty of geometric, floral, and printed colors options. It also boasts functionality, with a built-in charging port and USB cable, water-resistant coating, and a padded area for a laptop.

9. The North Face Jester School Laptop Backpack


The North Face is a major name in college backpacks — and for good reason. The Jester model features a padded laptop compartment and streamlined pockets for easy organization. The most recent model can also stand up unsupported by itself and has a water-repellent finish in most color options.

10. Herschel Heritage Backpack


The Herschel heritage backpack is a high-quality bag, with Herschel's proprietary coated polyester fabric. The college backpack comes with a sleeve pocket that can fit a 15-inch laptop, a front compartment with a key clip, and an internal media pocket with a headphone port.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Compare Your School Options

View the most relevant schools for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to finding your college home.